IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)

e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 11 Ver. III (Nov. 2015), PP 17-19
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Comparison of Efficacy of Various Doses of Esmolol In

Attenuating Presssor Response To Laryngoscopy And Intubation.
Dr (Maj) TV Sree Krishna1, Dr Ayaskant Sahoo2, Dr Sai Dileep V3, Dr S G K
Murthy4, Dr A S Kameswar Rao5, Dr M Sridhar6
1,3

Post graduate, Department of Anaesthesiology and critical care, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram.
Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology and critical care, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram.
4
Prof & HOD of Anaesthesiology and critical care, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram.
5
Prof & Dean, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram.
6
Senior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology and critical care, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam.
2

Abstract: The hemodynamic response during laryngoscopy and intubation is a unwanted side effect during
securing the airway for conducting safe anaesthesia. This study was done to compare the varying doses of
Intravenous Esmolol in attenuating the hemodynamic stress responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal
intubation. 60 patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized and double blind study. The three doses of
esmolol studies were 0.5mg/kg, 1.0mg/kg, 1.5mg/kg. We found that even though there was a rise in
hemodynamic parameters but the patients treated with esmolol showed greater resistance to abrupt excursions
of heart rate and blood pressure. The dosage of 1.5mg/kg was found to be the most efficacious in attenuating the
pressor response.
Keywords: Esmolol, Laryngoscopy, Intubation, Pressor response.
I. Introduction
The hemodynamic response during laryngoscopy and intubation should be abolished to balance the
myocardial oxygen supply and demand for the safe conduct of anaesthesia. Various pharmacological & non
pharmacological methods have been used to attenuate the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy &
endotracheal intubation. Pharmacological methods like use of Inhalational anesthetics, topical and Intravenous
lidocaine, narcotics, -Blockers, calcium channel Blockers, vasodilators,have been tried. This study was done to
compare the varying doses of Intravenous Esmolol in attenuating the hemodynamic stress responses to
laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.

II. Material And Methods

Sixty ASA I and ASA II patients undergoing elective surgical procedure under general anaesthesia with
endotracheal intubation were included in this study after obtaining clearance from institute ethical committee
and written informed consent from the patient. Inclusion criteria: Age group 20-50 years, Undergoing General
anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Exclusion Criteria: Known allergy or contraindication to Esmolol,
anticipated difficult airway cases, patients on beta blockers, full stomach patients, emergency cases, prior known
case of Hypertension, Diabetes, Ischemic heart diseases. Randomization was done using lottery method. Three
groups were made with Group A (Esmolol 0.5 mg/kg), Group B (Esmolol 1.0 mg/kg) Group C (Esmolol 1.5
mg/kg). All the patients were admitted and they underwent relevant investigations. Preoperatively written
informed consent was obtained from the patient. Complete Blood Count, Bleeding time, Clotting time, Blood
Urea and Creatinine, blood sugar, Serum creatinine and electrolytes, X ray Chest, Electrocardiogram. Other
relevant investigations were obtained on the basis of the condition of the patient. Anesthesia induction was
standardized with the following protocol: Night before surgery, Tab Diazepam 10mg and Tab Ranitidine 150mg
orally was administered. On the day of surgery All the patients were pre-medicated with Inj. Glycopyrrolate
4g/kg body weight, intramuscularly 45 minutes before surgery. Monitors were connected after shifting to
operation theatre with NIBP, ECG, SpO2. Intravenous line was secured using 18G cannula. Basal pulse rate and
blood pressure were recorded. Pre oxygenation was done using 100% Oxygen for 3 minutes. Inj. Fentanyl
2g/kg iv given three minute prior to induction. Esmolol was taken in a 20 ml syringe and diluted to 20 ml and
given as bolus over 15-20 seconds two minutes before intubation. One minute later anesthesia was induced with
2.5% Inj. Thiopentone sodium 5mg/kg intravenously and Inj. Succinylcholine 1.5mg/kg IV given. After
satisfying muscle relaxation, the patient was intubated with appropriate size endotracheal tube after doing a
proper laryngoscopy within 10-15 seconds. Conditions were prolongation of laryngoscopy time due to difficult
intubation, these patients were excluded from the study. Endotracheal tube was secured after confirming
DOI: 10.9790/0853-141131719

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Comparision Of Efficacy Of Various Doses Of Esmolol In Attenuating Presssor Response To

bilateral air entry. Heart Rate, Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure and Mean arterial pressures
were recorded during administration of the study drug, during induction, during intubation, after intubation and
following for about 7 minutes after laryngoscopy and intubation for every minute.

III. Observation And Results

All the three groups were comparable in relation to age sex and body mass index. Heart rate, Systolic
blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, Mean arterial pressure. All recorded data were analyzed using SPSS
software for determining the statistical significance. ANOVA test was used to determine the significance among
three groups. Students t test was used to compare the two groups on mean values of various parameters. The pvalue taken for significance is <0.05. The increase in Heart rate in the groups A, B, C were 18%, 12% and 5%
respectively. The increase in Systolic blood pressure in the groups A, B, C were 32%, 24%, 18% respectively.
The increase in Diastolic Blood pressure in the groups A, B, C were 27%, 22%,16% respectively. The increase
in Mean arterial pressure in the groups A, B, C were 29%, 22%,16% respectively.
IV. Discussion
Vucovic M et al1, Ebert TJ and Bernstein JS2, who found that pressor response to laryngoscopy was
significantly less marked in patients given Esmolol 2 minutes before intubation which was similar to our timing
of drug administration. In our study also we took 2 minute as the time for administering Esmolol prior to
laryngoscopy and intubation. Sheppard et al3, Miller D.R et al4, Ganbatz C.L et al5 and Sharma et al6 compared
different bolus dose of Esmolol and concluded that attenuation of intubation response is adequate following
100mg of Esmolol. In our study we found that esmolol 1.5mg/kg is more effective in attenuation of intubation
response than esmolol 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg. Sharma S, Ghania A7 also concluded adequate hemodynamic
control was obtained with the administration of Esmolol bolus 2mg/kg. In our study it was Esmolol 1.5 mg/kg
IV bolus was effective and safe in blunting the response. Wang L et al8 concluded that 1.2 mg/kg bolus of
Esmolol was effective and safe. We also used Esmolol in the range of 0.5 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg, which were also
safe. Analysis of the length of our study showed that Esmolol 1.5 mg/kg was most effective in attenuating the
heart rate response to laryngoscopy and intubation. Also, Esmolol 1.5 mg/kg was effective in attenuating the
blood pressure increase accompanying laryngoscopy and intubation.

V. Figures And Tables:

Fig 1 Heart rate:

Fig 3 Diastolic Blood Pressure:

Fig 2 Systolic Blood Pressure:

Fig 4 Mean Blood Pressure

VI. Conclusion
From our study it can be concluded that There is no statistical significance among the mean value of
heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure at the Pre-medication time(p
>0.05) in three groups A,B,C where they received 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg,1.5mg/kg of esmolol respectively. There is
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Comparision Of Efficacy Of Various Doses Of Esmolol In Attenuating Presssor Response To

significant difference among the mean value of heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,
mean arterial pressure during administration of Esmolol bolus, induction, intubation during and for about
seven minutes following laryngoscopy and intubation. It can be concluded that the dose of Esmolol 1.5 mg/kg
(Group C) is most effective in attenuating the hemodynamic responses during laryngoscopy and
endotracheal intubation with no major adverse effects of Esmolol compared to group A (0.5mg/kg) and
group B(1mg/kg).

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